EPA finalized a rule to reduce harmful air pollution from gasoline distribution facilities, which are disproportionately located in communities of color and low-income communities.
“By helping to reduce exposures to toxic air emissions, these actions will help communities breathe cleaner air, improving lives in communities already overburdened by pollution,” said Joe Goffman, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, in a release.
The final rule, released Thursday, imposes a limit of 35 milligrams of total organic carbon per liter of gasoline from some sources. The previous limit was 80 milligrams. The agency had considered cutting the limit further to 10 milligrams, but industry groups argued that level would lead to significant economic costs that could translate to higher gas prices.
The final rule includes adjustments related to emissions during startup, shutdown and malfunction periods. It also adds electronic reporting requirements and updates monitoring and operating requirements for control devices.
